A vicar forane, often called a dean or archpriest, is the priest appointed to coordinate and supervise pastoral ministry within a group of neighboring parishes.[1]
Nature of the office
The office promotes common pastoral action, supports clergy, and provides a practical link between parishes and diocesan governance. A dean is not an additional degree of ordination and does not replace each pastor’s canonical authority in his parish.
Canonical place
The diocesan bishop appoints the vicar forane for a determined period after hearing priests of the district. Duties include vigilance over clerical life, liturgy, church property, parish records, and care for priests who are ill or in difficulty.
References
- 1.Code of Canon Law, canons 553–555 — Universal or special law governing the office and its competence